Best beaches in England ranked: Top for sunshine, fish and chips and more

The best staycation destinations

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GB NEWS

Sarra Gray

By Sarra Gray


Published: 21/05/2026

- 11:37

UK temperatures could hit up to 33°C over the bank holiday weekend

Yorkshire's Filey Beach has been named the best spot in England for a summer seaside trip by train.

The stunning coastal destination topped the rankings with an impressive score of 78 out of 100, ranking highly across several key measures.


What makes Filey stand out? It is the combination of easy rail access, plenty of sunshine and fantastic food options nearby that earned it the top spot.

With the Bank holiday approaching and warmer weather on the way, now is the perfect time to start planning a beach day.

Filey Beach, Yorkshire

Filey Beach in Yorkshire was named the best overall

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VISIT NORTH YORKSHIRE

Other beaches in England are also worth visiting. If you're chasing sunshine, Littlehampton East Beach in the South East is your best bet - it enjoys more than 242 hours of sun on average between May and July.

Or looking for some proper seaside food? Sheringham Beach in Norfolk is a fish and chip lover's dream, with 18 chippies within a 15-minute stroll.

And for ice cream fans, Lytham St Annes Beach in the North West can't be beaten - it boasts a whopping 160 positive ice cream reviews, the highest in the entire study.

This research comes from LNER, who analysed beaches across the country to find the best coastal spots reachable by rail.

The study analysed a range of factors to work out which beaches deserve your attention this summer. Sunshine hours, sunset times and sea temperature all played a part in the scoring.

But it wasn't just about the weather - the research also considered how close each beach sits to a train station, making it easy to plan your trip.

Local food options mattered too, with the number of nearby fish and chip shops factored in alongside positive ice cream reviews.

Blue Flag and Seaside Award status also counted towards each beach's final score out of 100.

Sheringham Beach

Sheringham Beach in Norfolk was top for fish and chip lovers

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VISIT NORTH NORFOLK

Commercial director at LNER, David Flesher, said: "For many people, a summer trip to the coast is one of the best ways to make the most of the warmer months, whether that means a family day out, a paddle in the sea, a walk along the promenade, or simply enjoying fish and chips by the shore.

"This research highlights the variety of beaches that can be reached by train across England, including many that are accessible via LNER destinations and straightforward onward connections.

"Travelling by train helps make the journey part of the experience, offering a smarter way to travel by avoiding traffic, stops for fuel, parking stress, and letting the getaway begin the moment people step on board."